Serving the High Plains
New Mexico will begin a two-week "shelter in place" status Monday and take a county-based approach for reopening against worsening COVID-19 infection rates.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the changes during a Friday news conference.
The new public health order will require "non-essential businesses" to close and "essential businesses" to reduce operations and in-person workforce to the greatest extent possible.
“You should stay at home,” Lujan Grisham said, “except for only the most essential trips for health, safety and welfare.”
The governor encouraged mask wearing, hand washing, making hand sanitizer part of a daily routine and avoiding gatherings.
The restrictions, while similar to those taken in the spring, will be more stringent, including:
-- Essential businesses must operate at 25% capacity or no more than 75 customers in the store, whichever is smaller.
-- Churches are restricted to 25% capacity or 75 persons, whichever is smaller.
Essential businesses include grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, shelters, child care facilities and some essential retail.
The full list is available at cv.nmhealth.org. Non-essential businesses include gyms, barbershops, salons, gyms and recreation facilities.
New Mexicans were also encouraged to visit jobs.state.nm.us and yes.state.nm.us for unemployment and medical assistance.